Chen
F, Lu HT, Jiang Y. Purification of
paeoniflorin from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. by high-speed
counter-current chromatography .J
Chromatogr A. 2004 Jun 25;1040(2):205-8. [Abstract:
High-speed counter-current chromatography was successfully used
for the first time for the preparative separation and purification
of paeoniflorin from the Chinese medicinal plant Paeonia
lactiflora Pall. using a two-phase solvent system composed of
n-butanol-ethyl acetate-water (1:4:5, v/v) in a single run. From
160 mg of the crude sample containing 22.0% paeoniflorin, 33.2 mg
of paeoniflorin was yielded at 98.2% purity as determined by HPLC
analysis. The recovery of paeoniflorin was 94.3%.]
Department of Botany, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong, China. sfchen@hkusua.hku.hk

Hatip-Al-Khatib
I, Egashira N, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Iwasaki K, Kurauchi K, Inui
K, Ikeda T, Fujiwara M.Determination of
the effectiveness of components of the herbal medicine
Toki-Shakuyaku-San and fractions of Angelica acutiloba in
improving the scopolamine-induced impairment of rat's spatial
cognition in eight-armed radial maze test. J Pharmacol
Sci. 2004 Sep;96(1):33-41. Epub 2004 Sep 4. [Abstract:
The improving effects of various components of Toki-Shakuyaku-San
(TSS) and fractions isolated from Angelica acutiloba Radix (Toki)
on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment were investigated
in eight-armed radial maze. The scopolamine-induced memory
impairment was characterized by prominent increase of error
choices in addition to decreased correct choices. Toki, Cnidium
officinale Rhizoma (Senkyu), Poria cocos Hoelen (Bukuryo), Alisma
orientale Rhizoma (Takusha), and Atractylodes lancea Rhizoma
(Sojutsu) increased the correct choices, while only the Toki,
Sojutsu, and Takusha decreased the error choices. No effect was
produced by Paeonia lactiflora Radix (Shakuyaku). Investigation of
effects of fractions isolated from Toki revealed that its activity
mainly resided in the butanol layer and its contents of
N-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide and amines. Moreover, the
alkaloid, internal and external solutions (containing poly-, di-,
and monosaccharides) obtained by dialysis with Visking cellophane
tubing also improved the memory. However, no improving properties
were detected for methanol and hexanol layers, L-(-)-tryptophan,
L-arginine, L-(-)-lysine, and choline chloride. The results showed
that the TSS components could improve the reference and working
memory impaired by scopolamine. The improving effect of TSS is
produced greatly by the Toki component, the activity of which was
greatly produced by the fraction extracted by butanol.]
Department of Pharmacology, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty
of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.. Click here
to read complete article.

He
X, Xing D, Ding Y, Li Y, Xu L, Du L. Effects
of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion on pharmacokinetic fate of
paeoniflorin after intravenous administration of Paeoniae Radix
extract in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004
Oct;94(2-3):339-44. [Abstract: The
objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of
cerebral ischemia-reperfusion on pharmacokinetics of paeoniflorin
after intravenous administration of Paeoniae Radix extract (PRE)
in rats. The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats were induced by
occluding the bilateral carotid arteries of normal rats for 2 h,
followed by reperfusion. The resultant animals were immediately
administrated by PRE (at a dose of 60 mg/kg of paeoniflorin) via
the femoral vein, whilst the same dose was injected to the normal
rats. Plasma samples were collected at different time to construct
pharmacokinetic profiles by plotting drug concentration versus
time. Quantification of paeoniflorin in rat plasma was achieved by
using a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic
method. In normal rats, the major parameters of distribution
half-life (t1/2alpha), elimination half-life (t1/2beta), area
under the plasma concentration-time (AUC), mean retention time
(MRT), and clearance (CL), estimated by an open two-compartmental
model, were 0.69, 18.77 min, 5338.71 (microg min)/ml, 18.13 min
and 0.0162 mg/(kg min), respectively. However, in
ischemia-reperfusion rats, the corresponding parameters were 2.04,
24.51 min, 9626.00 (microg min)/ml, 29.75 min and 0.0071 mg/(kg
min), respectively. The results showed that ischemia- reperfusion
significantly increased AUC values, decreased CL values, and
prolonged the terminal half-life of paeoniflorin. These findings
suggest that the injuries of ischemia-reperfusion could play an
important role in pharmacokinetic process of paeoniflorin.]
Institute of Medicinal Plant, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,
Beijing 100094, China. Click here
to read complete article

Kim
HK, Tak JH, Ahn YJ. Acaricidal activity
of Paeonia suffruticosa root bark-derived compounds against
Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
(Acari: Pyroglyphidae). J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec
29;52(26):7857-61. [Abstract: The
acaricidal activities of materials derived from the root bark of
Paeonia suffruticosa against adults of Dermatophagoides farinae
and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were examined using direct
contact and fumigation bioassays and compared with those of benzyl
benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet),
widely used acaricides. The active constituents of Paeonia root
bark were identified as paeonol and benzoic acid by spectroscopic
analyses. On the basis of 24-h LD50 values, the acaricidal
activities of paeonol (7.82 microg/cm3) and benzoic acid (6.58
microg/cm3) against adult D. farinae were comparable to that of
benzyl benzoate (7.72 microg/cm3) but higher than those of deet
(36.34 microg/cm3) and dibutyl phthalate (33.92 microg/cm3).
Against adult D. pteronyssinus, the acaricidal activities of
paeonol (7.08 microg/cm3) and benzyl benzoate (7.22 microg/cm3)
were comparable to that of benzyl benzoate (7.14 microg/cm3). Deet
and dibutyl phthalate were less effective. In fumigation tests
with both mite species, paeonol and benzoic acid were much more
effective in closed containers than open ones, indicating that the
effect of these compounds was largely a result of action in the
vapor phase. Neither benzyl benzoate, deet, nor dibutyl phthalate
exhibited fumigant toxicity. Paeonia root bark-derived materials,
particularly paeonol and benzoic acid, merit further study as
potential acaricides or lead compounds for the control of D.
farinae and D. pteronyssinus.] School of Agricultural
Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic
of Korea. Click here
to read full article

Leem
K, Kim H, Boo Y, Lee HS, Kim JS, Yoo YC, Ahn HJ, Park HJ, Seo JC,
Kim HK, Jin SY, Park HK, Chung JH, Cho JJ.Effects
of Paeonia lactiflora root extracts on the secretions of monocyte
chemotactic protein-1 and -3 in human nasal fibroblasts.Phytother Res. 2004
Mar;18(3):241-3. [Abstract: In
the field of Oriental medicine, the root of Paeonia lactiflora
(Paeoniae Radix) has been prescribed usually to treat the common
cold, and it was thought to alleviate upper respiratory infection
or nasal inflammation. Monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP)-1 and
MCP-3 are known as the most potent chemokines to mediate allergic
inflammation. The object of the study was to investigate the
effect of Paeoniae Radix on the release of the chemokines such as
MCP-1 and MCP-3. To detect the secretion of MCPs, an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay was performed for human nasal mucosal
fibroblasts after stimulation with several cytokines such as tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)
and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). The secretion of MCP-1 was
increased after stimulation with TNF-alpha or IL-1beta treatment.
Co-treatment of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, or IL-1beta and IFN-gamma
increased the secretion of MCP-1 and MCP-3. Paeoniae Radix was
tested with inflammatory cytokines, and the results showed that
the Paeoniae Radix significantly decreased the secretion of MCP-1
and MCP-3. In our study, Paeoniae Radix may play an important role
in nasal inflammation with a modulation of MCP-1 and MCP-3.
Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.] College of
Oriental Medicine, Semyung University, Chungbuk 390-711, South
Korea. Click here
to read

Lee
SJ, Lee HM, Ji ST, Lee SR, Mar W, Gho YS.1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose
blocks endothelial cell growth and tube formation through
inhibition of VEGF binding to VEGF receptor. Cancer
Lett. 2004 May 10;208(1):89-94. [Abstract:Tumor
angiogenesis is a critical step for the growth and metastasis of
solid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the
most important angiogenic molecule associated with tumor-induced
neovascularization. VEGF exerts its activity through binding to
its receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR/Flk-1, expressed on the surface
of endothelial cells. From the screening of medicinal plants, we
have identified 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose (PGG)
from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora that inhibited the binding of
VEGF to KDR/Flk-1. PGG efficiently blocked VEGF-induced human
umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation and the growth of
immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells, but did not
affect the growth of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and DU-145 human
prostate carcinoma cells. PGG also blocked VEGF-induced
capillary-like tube formation of endothelial cell on Matrigel. Our
results suggest that PGG could be a candidate for developing
anti-angiogenic agent.] Natural Products Research
Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul
110-460, South Korea. Click here
to read full article

Li G, Seo CS,
Lee KS, Kim HJ, Chang HW, Jung JS, Song DK, Son JK. Protective
constituents against sepsis in mice from the root cortex of
Paeonia suffruticosa. Arch Pharm Res. 2004
Nov;27(11):1123-6. [Abstract: The
bioassay-guided fractionation of protective agents against
sepsis-induced lethality from the root cortex of Paeonia
suffruticosa ANDREWS (Ranunculaceae) led to the isolation of eight
known compounds: paeonol (1), 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone
(2), acetovanillone (3), paeonoside (4), paeoniflorin (5),
oxypaeoniflorin (6), apiopaeonoside (7), and methyl
3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoate (8). Among them, 3 showed the highest
survival rate (100% with a dose of 30 mg/kg versus 17% for the
control experiment) and reduced alanine aminotransferase level to
be a half of the control value on the sepsis model induced by
lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine.] College of Pharmacy,
Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, P R China.

Li J, Wu BY,
Jiang YR. [Study on interaction of Radix
Paeoniae 801 and endothelin-1 by using a piezoelectric quartz
crystal biosensor] [Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong
Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 Aug;24(8):714-6. [Abstract:
To explore the possible target and molecular mechanism of Radix
Paeoniae 801 (RP801), an effective ingredient extracted from Radix
Paeoniae, the Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood
circulation to remove blood stasis, using experimental in vitro
method by directly detecting the interaction between RP801 and
endothelin-1 (ET-1). METHODS: Piezoelectric quartz crystal
biosensor, namely, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was used
to detect the specific combining between RP801 and ET-1 by binding
avidin to the pre-activated Au surface of electrode of QCM,
followed by immobilizing biotinylated ET-1 to it, and adding
RP801, then the binding curve was recorded. PBS washing was
applied at the end of every steps of combining reaction for
dissociate the non-specific absorption. RESULTS: Specific
combining of RP801 and ET-1 was found. CONCLUSION: ET-1 could
possibly be one of the acting targets of RP801 in the body, that
is, RP801 could combine with ET-1 to impede the binding of ET-1
with its receptor, so as to counteract the action of ET-1, dilate
blood vessels and inhibit platelet aggregation.]
Life-Science College, Nankai University, Tianjin.

Li Q B, Zhou Z
Q, Zhao X, Pan K Y &Hong D Y, 2004: Interspecific
relationships among the wild species of Paeonia sect.
Moutan DC. based on DNA sequences of Adh gene
family. Acta Hort. Sin. 31(5): 627632.
[Abstract: A portion (the big intron
between exon 5 and 6, ca. 2 kb) of glycerol-3-phosphate
acyltransferase (GPAT) gene of 15 wild tree peony accessions
collected from 15 populations, which represent all the eight wild
species in sect. Moutan, was analyzed using PCR-RFLP technique,
and this portion of nine accessions, which represent also all the
eight wild species, was sequenced for a better understanding of
the interspecific relationships in this section. A reduced-median
(RM) network of sect. Moutan was constructed with Network 3.0
computer program using the PCR-RFLP data obtained from the
digestion experiments of 12 selected restriction enzymes. Both
maximum parsimony (MP) and neighbor-joining (NJ) trees of sect.
Moutan were constructed with PAUP*4.0 program using the sequences
newly obtained in this study and from GenBank. As a result, a well
resolved and highly supported gene tree of sect. Moutan (by
bootstrap values) was obtained. The tree is basically in
accordance with that constructed from morphological data. The
phylogenetic relationships among species in sect. Moutan are
discussed in detail.]

Qu
P, Li GL, Xu MT. [A novel catalysis
kinetics fluorimetry system for the determination of eliminating
ratio of Chinese traditional medicine for *OH] [Article in
Chinese] Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi. 2004
Nov;24(11):1407-9.[Abstract: Benzoic
acid with weak fluorescence may react on *OH, and then products
with intense fluorescence are made. Extractives of Chinese
traditional medicine may eliminate *OH in solution, and reduce the
amounts of the products. Then, the increased level of fluorescence
of the products in solution will be lowered. Based on this
principle, a novel catalysis kinetics fluorimetry system for the
determination of eliminating ratio of Chinese traditional medicine
for *OH was developed. When the concentration of traditional
Chinese herbal drugs was 4.0 mg (dry weight) x mL(-1), the
eliminating ratios of Viola yedoensis, Atrctylodes chinensis and
Paeonia veitchii were 60.8%, 40.1% and 94.3%, respectively. The
results obtained by this method are in good agreement with those
obtained by spectrophotometry. ] Department of Chemistry,
Shangqiu Normal College, Shangqiu 476000, China.

Riaz
N, Malik A, Rehman AU, Ahmed Z, Muhammad P, Nawaz SA, Siddiqui J,
Choudhary MI.Lipoxygenase inhibiting
and antioxidant oligostilbene and monoterpene galactoside from
Paeonia emodi. Phytochemistry. 2004 Apr;65(8):1129-35.
[Abstract: Paeoninol and paeonin C,
oligostilbene and monoterpene galactoside, have been isolated from
the methanolic extract of the fruits of Paeonia emodi. Their
structures have been assigned on the basis of spectral analysis
including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. In addition, 4-hydroxybenzoic
acid 3, gallic acid 4 and methyl gallate 5 have also been reported
for the first time from this species. Compounds 1 and 2 have
displayed potent inhibitory potential against enzyme lipoxygenase
in a concentration-dependent fashion with the IC(50) values 0.77
and 99.5 microM, along with ABTS(.+) radical quenching activity
with IC(50) values of 147.5 and 498.2 microM, respectively.]
International Centre for Chemical Sciences, H.E.J. Research
Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270,
Pakistan. Click here
to read

Sang T, Pan J,
Zhang D M, Diane Ferguson, Wang C, Pan K Y & Hong D Y,
2004: Origins of polyploids: an example from
peonies (Paeonia) and a model for angiosperms. Bot.
J. Linn. Soc. 82: 561571. (HTML-Version:
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/98/7/3915)
(PDF: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/98/7/3915)
(link to a local copy
html-file) (link
to a local copy .pdf-file) [The majority
of tetraploid peonies are allopolyploids derived from crosses
between phylogenetically distinct diploid lineages. Tetraploid
Paeonia obovata was previously considered to be an autopolyploid
because it is morphologically indistinguishable from the diploid
of the same species. The presence of the Adh2 gene in tetraploid
P. obovata but the inability to amplify the Adh2 gene from Chinese
diploids of P. obovata, however, suggests that the tetraploid was
not an autotetraploid derivative of the geographically adjacent
diploid populations in China. The Adh gene phylogenies rather
suggest that the tetraploid originated from crosses between two
geographical races of diploid P. obovata distributed in China and
Japan. The intermediate status of tetraploid P. obovata between
auto- and allopolyploidy highlights the need for population
genetic analyses of polyploid origins along the continuous range
of genomic divergence. Here we present a model that describes the
probabilities of polyploid formation and establishment as a
function of genomic divergence between diploid progenitors. The
probability of polyploid formation (Pf) is obtained from the
multiplication of the probability of production of unreduced
gametes (Pg) and the probability of 'hybridization' (Ph). Pf stays
relatively stable when the genomic divergence is low, and then
decreases progressively rapidly with the increase of genomic
divergence between diploid progenitors. The probability of
polyploid establishment (Pe), which depends on the rate of
appearance of stable beneficial gene combinations and the rate of
fertility restoration, is positively correlated with the genomic
divergence of diploid parents. Multiplication of Pf and Pe gives
an overall probability of polyploid origins (Po) that varies
continuously along the genomic divergence between diploid
progenitors.]

Satoh
A, Yokozawa T, Cho EJ, Okamoto T, Sei Y.
Antioxidative effects related to the potential anti-aging
properties of the Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu and Carthami
Flos in senescence-accelerated mice. Arch Gerontol
Geriatr. 2004 Jul-Aug;39(1):69-82. [Abstract:
The popular oxidative stress theory predicts that enhancement of
the antioxidative defense system to attenuate free radical-induced
damage counteracts the aging process. We used
senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) because SAM has been shown to
suppress the antioxidative defense system and mitochondrial
dysfunction induced by oxidative stress. We investigated the
antioxidative effects of the Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu and
its crude drug component Carthami Flos. The administration of
Kangen-karyu extract at 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 weeks
inhibited generation of nitric oxide, superoxide and the hydroxyl
radical (*OH), while Carthami Flos extract showed only
*OH-scavenging activity. Diet supplemented with Kangen-karyu and
Carthami Flos extracts enhanced the activities of the
antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase in hepatic tissue and
glutathione peroxidase in renal tissue, and reduced the hepatic
lipid peroxidation level which increased with aging, indicating
the protective action against oxidative stress by enhancing the
antioxidative status. Hepatic and renal dysfunction with aging was
also ameliorated by the administration of Kangen-karyu and
Carthami Flos supplements. Furthermore, the observed antioxidative
properties of the Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu were more
evident than those of Carthami Flos. These findings suggest that
the protective activity of Kangen-karyu against the oxidative
tissue damages during aging may be due partly to synergistic
and/or additive effects of its crude preparation. The present
study strongly indicates that Kangen-karyu counteract the
oxidative stress and ameliorating tissue damage possibly
associated with aging in SAM. Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ireland
Ltd.] Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and
Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
Click here
to read the complete article.

Song ZH, Wang
BD, Ba H, Tong XT, Zhu DY, Jiang FX. [Studies
on chemical constituents in root of Paeonia sinjiangensis]
[Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004
Aug;29(8):748-51. [OBJECTIVE: To
study the chemical constituents of the root of Paeonia
sinjiangensis. METHOD: The constituents were isolated by silica
column chromatography, and their structures were identified on the
basis of spectral analysis and their physical-chemical constants.
RESULT: Five compounds, paeoniflorin( I ), albiflorin (II),
lactiflorin(III), daucosterol(IV), sucrose (V), were obtained.
CONCLUSION: All of the compounds were obtained from this plant for
the first time.] Graduate School of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.

Sunaga
K, Sugaya E, Kajiwara K, Tsuda T, Sugaya A, Kimura M.
Molecular mechanism of preventive effect of
peony root extract on neuron damage. J Herb
Pharmacother. 2004;4(1):9-20. [Abstract:
The molecular mechanism of the protective effects of peony root
extract and its component substances on neuron damage induced by
the cobalt focus epilepsy model and the EL mouse was investigated.
Long-term administration of peony root extract for 30 days prior
to metallic cobalt powder application to the cerebral cortex of
mice resulted in increased expression of A20, an inhibitor gene of
cell death. In the EL mouse, a hereditary epilepsy animal model
with vulnerable neurons, increased expression of A20 was observed
even without administration of peony root extract. Long-term
administration of peony root extract to the EL mouse resulted in a
marked increase of expression of A20. These results suggested that
an increase in A20 expression is the main molecular mechanism of
protective action of peony root extract on neuron damage.]
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Saitama,
Japan.

Sun
WS, Imai A, Tagami K, Sugiyama M, Furui T, Tamaya T. In
vitro stimulation of granulosa cells by a combination of different
active ingredients of unkei-to. Am
J Chin Med. 2004;32(4):569-78 [Abstract:
Unkei-to is widely used in traditional Japanese herbal medicine
for its ovulation-inducing effect. In the present study, we
investigated the in vivo effects of unkei-to and its compounds on
the steroidogenesis and cytokine secretion in human granulosa
cells. Unkei-to stimulated the secretions of 17beta-estradiol and
progesterone from highly luteinized granulosa cells obtained from
in vitro fertilization patients; the stimulated effect on
estradiol secretion occurred with 0.3 microg/ml, while a
significant effect on progesterone secretion was obtained at 10
microg/ml. The unkei-to stimulation of estradiol secretion could
be accounted for by the effects of its ingredients, Shakuyaku
(paeoniae radix, Paeonia lactiflora Pallas) and Keihi (cinnamomi
cortex, Cinnamomum cassia Blume); while dose response curves for
unkei-to and Keihi to induce progesterone production were
superimposable. Exposure of the cells to unkei-to caused
dose-dependent increases in the concentrations of interleukin
(IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in the culture medium. Similar results
were obtained when cells were incubated with the ingredient Ninjin
(ginseng radix, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), but not Shakuyaku and
Keihi. These results indicate that unkei-to has direct stimulatory
effects on human granulosa cells to stimulate the steroidogenesis
and secretion of cytokines (IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8). The various
beneficial actions of unkei-to on the ovary may result from a
combination of different ingredient herbs with different
stimulatory effects on both steroidogenesis and the ovulatory
process within the ovary, as well as stimulatory effect on the
hypothalamus-pituitary axis.] Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Gifu University School of Medicine Gifu 500-8705,
Japan.

Tsuboi
H, Hossain K, Akhand AA, Takeda K, Du J, Rifa'i M, Dai Y, Hayakawa
A, Suzuki H, Nakashima I. Paeoniflorin
induces apoptosis of lymphocytes through a redox-linked mechanism.
J Cell Biochem. 2004 Sep 1;93(1):162-72. [Abstract:
Paeoniflorin (PF), isolated from paeony root, has been used as a
herbal medicine for more than 1,200 years in China, Korea, and
Japan for its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and
immunoregulatory effects. In this study, we found that PF induces
apoptosis in both murine T-lineage cells and human T-cell leukemia
Jurkat cells. This apoptosis was mediated through the reduction of
mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase, and
fragmentation of DNA. Interestingly, PF induced generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a reducing agent, dithiothreitol
(DTT), and a ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), successfully
attenuated the PF-induced apoptosis. Additionally, PF induced the
phosphorylation of three mitogen-activated protein (MAP) family
kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun
amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase. Curcumin, an
anti-oxidant and JNK inhibitor, inhibited PF-induced apoptosis,
suggesting the possible involvement of curcumin-sensitive JNK or
other redox-sensitive elements in PF-induced apoptosis. These
results partially explain the action mechanism of PF-containing
paeony root as a herbal medicine.] Department of
Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya
466-8550, Japan. Click here
to read full article.

Wang
Y, Zhang L, Liu D. [Heavy metals
accumulation in different parts of Paeonia ostii and soils at
copper tailings yard] [Article in Chinese] Ying Yong
Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2004 Dec;15(12):2351-4. [Abstract:
The study on the heavy metals contamination of Paeonia ostii and
soil at the copper tailings yard in Tongling City indicated that
the soil of copper tailings yard was extremely barren, only with
1.1-3.4 g x kg(-1) organic mater (1/15 of normal soil), but the
contents of its Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were much higher. Cu and Cd
contents were 587.43-1176.44 mg x kg(-1) and 3.08-5.16 mg x
kg(-1), respectively, 5-10 times higher than the grade two of
national environmental quality standard for soils. Cu, Cd and Pb
contents in Paeonia ostii exceeded the standard of medicine-use
plants. Especially in its root peel, Cu and Cd contents stood at
31.50-64.00 mg x kg(-1) and 0.98-1.45 mg x kg(-1), respectively,
1.6-3.6 times surpassing the standard, which meant that both
Paeonia ostii and the soil had been severely polluted. There
existed evident difference in the contents of heavy metals in
different parts of Paeonia ostii. Stem, leaf and root peel had
higher contents of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu. The accumulation factors of
Zn and Cd were higher than those of Cu and Pb, but they were all
smaller in root peel. ] College of Life Sciences, Anhui
Normal University, Wuhu, China. wybzl@tom.com

Xia
L, Shen P. [Studies on the effects of
Siwu Mixture on reversing multidrug resistance of human
erythrocyte leukemic cell line K562/ADM] [Article in
Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004 Aug;29(8):792-5
[OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of
Siwu Mixture on reversing the multidrug resistance (MDR) of human
erythrocyte leukemic cell line K562/ADM. METHOD: With verapamil
set as a positive control, MTT assay was applied to evaluate the
resistant factor of cell line K562/ADM to anticancer drugs and the
reversal index of Siwu Mixture on MDR of the cells. The
concentration of adriamycin(ADM) in the cells was measured by
reversal-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The
immunofluorescence method was used to determine the expression of
P-glucoprotein(Pgp) on cell membrane. RESULT: When ADM was
combined with Siwu Mixture, its concentration in the cells and the
reversal index of MDR were significantly higher than those of
blank control (P < 0.01). However, the expression of Pgp on
cell membrane showed little difference ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
In case of noncytotoxic dose, Siwu Mixture showed significant
effect on reversing MDR of cell line K562/ADM. The effect might be
related to decreasing efflux of anticancer drugs in the cells and
increasing their concentration in the cells. Nevertheless, it had
no influence on the expression of Pgp on cell membrane.]
Department of Chinese Science and Engineering, College of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiong University, Hangzhou 310027,
China.

Xie
XM, Yu CZ, Xu H, Wang S, Wang DL, Zhang L, Chou GX, Wang ZT.
[Quality evaluation of prepared slices
of Paeonia lactiflon--determination of paeoniflorin by
HPLC][Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004
Aug;29(8):759-62. [ OBJECTIVE: To
establish the quality criteria of the prepared slices of Paeonia
lactiflon. METHOD: RP-HPLC was used for the determination of
paeoniflorin in 10 lots of samples by ultrasound-assisted
extraction. RESULT: The samples were extracted with 50% methanol.
Seperation of the solution was performed on an ODS column with a
mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (18:82), detected at 230 nm.
CONCLUSION: The method is simple, repeatable, accurate and
applicable.] Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Hefei 230031, China. xiexiaomei9401@sina.com

Yang
HO, Ko WK, Kim JY, Ro HS.Paeoniflorin:
an antihyperlipidemic agent from Paeonia lactiflora. Fitoterapia.
2004 Jan;75(1):45-9. [Abstract:
Paeoniflorin (1), isolated from the methanol extract of Paeonia
lactiflora, showed a lowering effect on cholesterol level in the
experimentally-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Paeoniflorin showed a
significantly lowering effect of total cholesterol, LDL and
triglyceride levels compared with the control group at the dose of
200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. once a day for 4 weeks.] Department
of Molecular Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Sciences,
University of Ulsan, Seoul 138-736, South Korea.
hoyang@amc.seoul.kr.
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Yang
YC, Lee EH, Lee HS, Lee DK, Ahn YJ. Repellency
of aromatic medicinal plant extracts and a steam distillate to
Aedes aegypti. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2004
Jun;20(2):146-9. [Abstract: The
repellent activity of methanol extracts from 23 aromatic medicinal
plant species and a steam distillate against female blood-starved
Aedes aegypti was examined in the laboratory by skin test and
compared with that of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet). Responses
varied according to plant species. At a dose of 0.1 mg/cm2, the
repellency of extracts of Cinnamomum cassia bark (91%),
Nardostachys chinensis rhizome (81%), Paeonia suffruticosa root
bark (80%), and Cinnamomum camphora steam distillate (94%) was
comparable to deet (82%). The duration of the effectiveness for
extracts from C. cassia bark and N. chinensis rhizome was
comparable to deet and lasted for approximately 1 h. Relatively
short duration of repellency was observed in P. suffruticosa root
bark extract and C. camphora steam distillate. The plants
described merit further study as potential mosquito repellent
agents.] Department of Advanced Organic Materials
Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Chonju 561-756, Republic
of Korea.

Zhang
H, Shen P, Cheng Y., Identification and
determination of the major constituents in traditional Chinese
medicine Si-Wu-Tang by HPLC coupled with DAD and ESI-MS. J
Pharm Biomed Anal. 2004 Feb 18;34(3):705-13. [Abstract:
An HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS method was established for the qualitative and
quantitative analysis of the major constituents in Si-Wu-Tang, a
traditional Chinese medicine formula. Based on the baseline
chromatographic separation of most constituents in Si-Wu-Tang on
hypersil C18 column with water-acetonitrile-acetic acid as mobile
phase, 12 compounds including phenolic acids, phthalides and
terpene glycoside were identified by online ESI-MS and the
comparison with literature data and standard samples. Most of
these compounds derive from Paeonia lactiflora and Ligusticum
chuanxiong. Seven of them were quantitated by HPLC coupled with
DAD. The validation of the method, including sensitivity,
linearity, repeatability, recovery, were examined. The linear
calibration curve were acquired with R2 > 0.99 and LOD (S/N =
3) were between 0.75 and 5 ng. The repeatability was evaluated by
intra- and inter-day assays and R.S.D. value were within +/-
2.38%. The recovery rates of selected compounds were in the range
of 96.64-105.21% with R.S.D. less than 3.22%.] College of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute,
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, PR China.

Zhu
HM, Zhu BD. [Experimental study on
preventive effect of Radix Paeoniae Rubra to restenosis after
carotid balloon injury in high fat-diet rabbits] [Article
in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004
Jun;24(6):538-40. [OBJECTIVE: To
observe the preventive effect of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR) to
restenosis after carotid balloon injury in rabbits. METHODS: The
rabbit model of carotid balloon injury was established adopting
Clowes method, and treated with extract of RPR. Component of new
genesic intima and expression of proliferating cell nuclear
antigen (PCNA) and macrophage was determined by immunochemical
stain. The collagen of type I was detected by special staining for
blood vessels and the area of new genesic intima was measured by
image assay system. RESULTS: RPR could remarkably decreased the
PCNA positive expression and inhibit the proliferation of collagen
type I and reduce the generating of new intima. CONCLUSION: RPR
has significant preventive effect on the restenosis after carotid
ballon injury in high fat-diet induced atherosclerotic rabbits.]
Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu (610075). atbao@sina.com